Stretcher.



A. BAJAS. STBETOHEB. APPLIoATIoN FILED 111111.21, 1914.

Ll9 Patented Feb. 23, 1915.

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A. BAJAS.

STRETGHER.

APPLIOATION FILED AUG. 21, 1914.

Patented Feb. 23, 1915.

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T all whom 'it may concern:

Be it known that l, ALEXANDER HAJAS, a subject of the King of Hungary, residing at Brantford, in the Province of Ontario and `Dominion of Canada, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Stretchers,

of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in stretchers.

'The primary object of this invention-is to provide a jfoldable stretcher structure in which the members thereof are retained by suitable devices in a rigid formation when operatively positioned.

f A further object is to provide a stretcher frame having all of its parts foldable together in compact form and a locking means y for the braces and side members for rigidly retaining the same in their operative positions. n

A still further .object is to provide a foldable rectangular stretcher frame having a removable mattress member attached thereto by means of hinged hooks carried by the frame' an'd positionable within receiving' socketswhen the frame is folded in its inoperative position.

With these general objects in view and others that will appear as the nature of the invention is better understood, the same consists in the novel combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings and pointed out in the appended claims.-

ln the drawings forming apart of this application and in which like designating char-` acters refer to corresponding parts throughout the several views: Figure 1 is a perspective view of the stretcher frame in its operative unfolded position. Fig. 2 is a perspective view thereof in its folded position. Fig. i3 is a top plan view of the frame with the ransverse braces partially folded. Fig. 4 is a transverse sectional view taken through the frame and through the mattress secured thereon. Fig. 5 is a detail perspective view of the hinge locking means upon an enlarged scale. Fig. 6 is a transverse sectional view taken through the plane of the locking bolt of the hinge locking means. Fig. 7 is a Y detail side elevation of a portion of one of the stretcher bars illustrating the pivoted hook carrled thereby. l Fig. 8 isa transverse Specification of Letters Patent.

sectional view thereof, and Fig. 9 is a perspective enlarged view of an edge portion of the mattress. f

Referring more in detail to the drawings, the stretcher broadly consists in a foldable frame comprising opposite side bars 10 having central hinges l1 upon the lower sides of said bars and whereby one end portion of each b'ar may be swung downwardly and then under the other end portion so as to lie Patented Feb. 23, 1915.

lApplication led August 21, 1914.. Serial No. 857,971. f

in folded position therebelow. Each of said end portions is centrally hinged as at 12 upon its upper side, therebyy forming terminal handles 13 upon each side bar and by means of which the stretcher is lifted and carried. Transverse braces 14a're pivoted as at 15 betweenthe side bars, the same being connected 'to the handle portions 13 thereof.V Each of these/braces is provided on'its inner side with a central hinge. 16 and whereby the braces may be folded together lying beneath the side bars and with the said bars having their inner faces contacting each other. With the braces in this position, the l separate portions of the side bars may have their respective handles 13 moved upon the hinges 12 to a position engaging the upper sides of the said bars 10, while the rportions of said bars may be then moved together upon their hinges 11 in their contacting positions and at which time the entire stretcher frame will be compactly folded as illustrated in Fig. 2. A locking means for retaining the hinges 11, 12 and 16 with their 'respective members unfolded and in their alining positions consists` of a hasp member 17 /supplied with the usual central hinge 18y and with alongitdinal slot 19 through one of the leaves thereof. The said'hasp being secured by means of screws 2O to one of the hinging members, the slot 19 ofsaid'hasp is readily positionable over a proiecting screw 21 "of the adjacent hinged member. A winged lock nut 22 is provided for the screw 21 and when seated upon the hasp leaf over the slot 19, the hasp is firmly posltloned overv the hinge connection of the respective members and forms a rigid lock for said carrying members in their alining positions. The outer faces of the side bars 10 are provided with hookshaped recesses 23 which .are equally spaced apart and intransverseahnement with each other. A hook 24 is p1voted in each of said sockets 23 by means of a screw 25 and has its hooked end 26 extending downwardly when the stretcher frame is operatively positioned. By this arrangement, it will be seen that a fabric or mattress member 27 may be stretched upon the frame when said frame is extended by placing the marginal eyelets- 28 Ithereof in engagement with the said hooks 26. It will,.be also seen that when the mattress 27 is removed fromthe frame, the. separate hooks 24 may be moved upon their' pivots 25 and seated within the receiving sockets 23.

The complete operation of the device will be apparent from the above detailed description, in that the stretcher frame is readto be preferable embodiments thereof, it isy nevertheless to be understood that minor changes-may be made in the form, proportion and details of construction without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

WhatI claim as new is 1. A stretcher frame comprising side bars centrally divided into equal end portions, hinges between said end portions upon the under sides of said bars, the said end portions being substantially centrally divided forming terminal handles for said side bars,

hinges upon the upper sides of said bars and connecting the divided portions of saidbar end portions, transverse lbraces hinged to the lower sides of said handles, inwardly po` s itioned hinges connecting the substantially A equal end portions of said braces, and hasp locking means for said brace hinges and all of side bar hinges.

2. A stretcher comprising foldable side bars, foldable braces connecting the said side bars together, thesaid side bars provided inl their outer faces with hook-shaped recesses, outwardly swinging hooks pivoted in said recesses and a mattress cover for said vstretcher having marginaleyelets adapted for engagement with said hooks.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

ALEXANDER VHAJAS. Witnesses:

. WsNEsEsL Kovoics,

Jos. Kovoics. 

